Dr Ashleigh Morrice-West BSc DVM PhD MANZCVS

Ashleigh has a dual position in the Equine Centre both as a research fellow and sports medicine clinician.  After completing her veterinary degree, Ashleigh undertook a PhD at the University of Melbourne which was conferred in November 2020, investigating training and racing workloads in Thoroughbred racehorses and their relationship to performance and bone fatigue. She has an extensive knowledge of the Australian and international equine racing industries gained through her PhD and ongoing academic research, engagement with the Thoroughbred Racing Industry regulatory bodies and participants, and active treatment and management of clinical cases in the University of Melbourne’s Equine Centre.  She was accepted as a member to the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2023. Her current research focus is on the use of wearable technology for injury prediction and the use of advanced imaging in identifying horses at increased risk of fracture. She has a keen interest in diagnosis and management of stress-induced musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses and performance horses alike.

Outside of work Ashleigh enjoys riding and making happy pets out of Off The Track Thoroughbreds, with almost 15 years of love for Silver Birch, and more recently Pammukale, now renamed “Blue (Jeans).” Ashleigh’s partner-in-crime and always present office companion is a Bernese Mountain Dog, Willow, who loves getting pats from everyone in the building before heading into the office for a nap.